Elbow Joint Pain

The elbow is the joint, where three bones, humerus, ulna and radius meet. Humerus is the bone of the upper arm, while ulna and radius are the inner and outer bone of the forearm. Elbow joint can be termed as a hinge joint, that hold both the upper and forearm together, and helps to move the arms forward and backward and also bend and straighten. Chronic pain in the elbow joint can occur due to various reasons, though, most often it is the result of repeated use or excessive pressure on this particular joint.

Elbow Joint Pain Causes and Symptoms

Such a pain can be attributed to several factors including, excessive pressure on the joint, tendinitis, sprain, fractures, as well as certain diseases.

• Tennis elbow or elbow tendinitis accounts for a large number of cases dealing with such a pain. It is also known as lateral epicondylitis, and affects the tendons that joins the muscles on the outer side of the elbow. The range of movement of the arm is generally not affected, due to tennis elbow.
• Golfer's elbow is the name of medial epicondylitis, that affects the tendons on the inner part of the elbow and cause pain and discomfort. Again, the condition does not restrict the normal range of motion of the elbow, as the inner joint is not affected.
• Another common cause is bursitis. Inflammation of the bursa at the tip of the elbow, which is termed as olecranon bursitis, can cause pain in the elbow. It can basically, occur due to an injury or trauma and diseases like, rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
• Sometimes, the compression of the ulnar nerve on the inner side of the elbow joint can lead to elbow pain. This condition is termed as cubital tunnel syndrome
• Any fracture of the elbow joint or bones around it can also cause pain and discomfort in this area.
• Like fracture, sprain of the ligaments in the elbow area can also cause pain of the elbow joint.
• Apart from these, diseases like arthritis and gout that causes inflammation and stiffness of the joints.
• Sometimes, septic arthritis or bacterial infection of the elbow joint can also cause pain in this joint. However, this condition is more commonly found in people with suppressed immune system.
• Rarely, bone tumors can be responsible for causing pain in the elbow joint.

It can sometimes be accompanied by a few additional symptoms like, warmth and swelling of the joint, along with redness and tenderness. Sometimes, the condition can also restrict the range of motion of the elbow joint. If the joint pain is caused by septic arthritis, then fever and chills can accompany the condition.

Elbow Joint Pain Treatment

You need to give rest to your elbow as much as possible by trying to reduce the activities that puts pressure on this joint. You can immobilize the joint with the help of a elbow brace. It can reduce the pain and accelerate the process of recovery. Application of ice pack can prove effective for pain relief. Like ice pack, application of heat with heating pads can also provide significant relief in the pain of the elbow joint. However, for severe pain, medications can be required. Usually, aspirin and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can manage the pain. But, occasionally cortisone injections may be required for relieving severe and persistent pain. In the long run, recurrences of such pain can be controlled with the help of appropriate exercises.

However, if diseases like arthritis and gout are responsible for causing the pain in the elbow joint, then some other specific treatment options would be required for alleviating these conditions. For such diseases, it is better to consult your physician. One should talk to his or her physician, if the pain persists for more than two weeks. This would help to find out the underlying causes and develop a proper treatment plan accordingly.